Navigating senior years.

[Donstar]

I ended up with an anatomical shoulder replacement.  Not reverse.  No use of shoulder or driving for six weeks.  Dealing with the pain is hard but I'm sure this will pass.  The fact that this is a common procedure doesn't dimmish the level of assault on your body!  My body is angry and not ready to forgive me yet  !

[diyer2]

Sleeping was my biggest issue, pain and the sling were the culprit.

[customboss]

5 hours ago, Donstar said:

I ended up with an anatomical shoulder replacement.  Not reverse.  No use of shoulder or driving for six weeks.  Dealing with the pain is hard but I'm sure this will pass.  The fact that this is a common procedure doesn't dimmish the level of assault on your body!  My body is angry and not ready to forgive me yet  !

Bionic Man on mend!!! 

[Donstar]

My 73 year old brother fell off a 10' ladder last week while trimming a hedge.  It hurt but he was "ok" and completed the chore the next day.  He joked about how a fall like this hurts more than it would when you're younger!  I told him that it does hurt more when you're older and he needs to report this fall to his Doctor.  He doesn't see the need and he won't.  I just shared a hospital room with a 83 year old who had missed the seat of his chair while attempting to sit down.  He called 911 for help to get back into his chair. The paramedics chose to take him to the hospital where he'll now remain until a care home space becomes available.  This kind, old gentleman didn't take advantage of the medical services available to him in his senior years and now there is no single operation that will get this man independently mobile again.  

[KARNUT]

1 hour ago, Donstar said:

My 73 year old brother fell off a 10' ladder last week while trimming a hedge.  It hurt but he was "ok" and completed the chore the next day.  He joked about how a fall like this hurts more than it would when you're younger!  I told him that it does hurt more when you're older and he needs to report this fall to his Doctor.  He doesn't see the need and he won't.  I just shared a hospital room with a 83 year old who had missed the seat of his chair while attempting to sit down.  He called 911 for help to get back into his chair. The paramedics chose to take him to the hospital where he'll now remain until a care home space becomes available.  This kind, old gentleman didn't take advantage of the medical services available to him in his senior years and now there is no single operation that will get this man independently mobile again.  

My family are very physically active. All have had replacement surgery for chronic issues when needed. Once hitting the eighties we tend to get wobbly needing canes for stability. I feel it coming without chronic pain. Although I can have pain everywhere if I push it. And pushing it gets easier to do getting older. So my question is what did the poor old guy miss that would have helped him up after missing the chair? Besides the chair? 

[Donstar]

48 minutes ago, KARNUT said:

My family are very physically active. All have had replacement surgery for chronic issues when needed. Once hitting the eighties we tend to get wobbly needing canes for stability. I feel it coming without chronic pain. Although I can have pain everywhere if I push it. And pushing it gets easier to do getting older. So my question is what did the poor old guy miss that would have helped him up after missing the chair? Besides the chair? 

Great question.  I made some assumptions and am basing my conclusions on one night of sharing a hospital room.  His cognitive decline may even be the primary reason for not discharging him.  This guy did the right thing by phoning 911 but only wanted help into his chair. Your family, like me, have replacement surgery when needed.  This old guy has all original worn out parts. I bet that his future would look different if he had replaced parts as needed.   He can no longer stand on his own or lift himself.  He is now waiting for a care bed with no plans for treatment.  Sad.

[KARNUT]

20 minutes ago, Donstar said:

Great question.  I made some assumptions and am basing my conclusions on one night of sharing a hospital room.  His cognitive decline may even be the primary reason for not discharging him.  This guy did the right thing by phoning 911 but only wanted help into his chair. Your family, like me, have replacement surgery when needed.  This old guy has all original worn out parts. I bet that his future would look different if he had replaced parts as needed.   He can no longer stand on his own or lift himself.  He is now waiting for a care bed with no plans for treatment.  Sad.

My mother is real close to being in a wheelchair. Her legs are getting weak. Same thing happened to my father in law. There isn’t much that can be done. My mother still climbs into her one ton diesel and goes to water exercises. She’s pretty spry for her age. My mother in law on the other hand, about the same age. Is in a memory care facility is slowly losing her mind. She’s becoming like a child. Even though she knows she’s an adult.  And very stubborn. Getting older is a blast.

[customboss]

31 minutes ago, KARNUT said:

My mother is real close to being in a wheelchair. Her legs are getting weak. Same thing happened to my father in law. There isn’t much that can be done. My mother still climbs into her one ton diesel and goes to water exercises. She’s pretty spry for her age. My mother in law on the other hand, about the same age. Is in a memory care facility is slowly losing her mind. She’s becoming like a child. Even though she knows she’s an adult.  And very stubborn. Getting older is a blast.

I’m doing water aerobics. Changed meds, brain no better. Feel better. Tried yoga and wrists and elbows shot even with surgical repairs. 
Paying a pretty penny( $6000)  to get Jeep J20 in drivable shape that 3 years ago I could have done for a couple hundred bucks. 

I roll on floor before I stop moving. 
 

I’ve always been stubborn. It’s why @Grumpy Bear loves me. 
 

 

[KARNUT]

22 minutes ago, customboss said:

I’m doing water aerobics. Changed meds, brain no better. Feel better. Tried yoga and wrists and elbows shot even with surgical repairs. 
Paying a pretty penny( $6000)  to get Jeep J20 in drivable shape that 3 years ago I could have done for a couple hundred bucks. 

I roll on floor before I stop moving. 
 

I’ve always been stubborn. It’s why @Grumpy Bear loves me. 
 

 

Who’s Grumpy Bear?

[Donstar]

On 6/20/2025 at 5:34 AM, diyer2 said:

Sleeping was my biggest issue, pain and the sling were the culprit.

The joy of quiet contemplation while waiting to drift off to sleep is replaced by waiting for a break in the pain and discomfort long enough to allow you to pass out for awhile.   The sling is a medieval torture device used to remind you of your discomfort in case you accidently forget.  My surgeon says I can remove my sling to shower and dress.  So, I shower often and dress frequently.  I never, ever, imagined someone wearing a sling could potentially have such a painful backstory.  I will make sure to express my empathy next time I see another human being sporting a sling!

[diyer2]

My sling had a wide strap that went around your body to hold your arm so you couldn't move it. Really annoying. 

2 months of torture for me.   

 

[Donstar]

^^^^That's awful!  Thank you for sharing.  I've been told no shoulder movement for six weeks but I'm not tied up!  I had my surgery a week ago today and currently it would hurt too much to use my shoulder even if I wanted.  However, even if I could, I'd better not cheat or my Doctor may "upgrade" my sling to one like yours!   Also, I can't cheat because my wife will be taking me to my appointments.  She keeps no secrets!  

[diyer2]

I'm having dexterity problems and pain at 9 months post surgery. They think the problem is in my neck with the nerves of C5,6.

[Donstar]

16 hours ago, diyer2 said:

I'm having dexterity problems and pain at 9 months post surgery. They think the problem is in my neck with the nerves of C5,6.

Are actions being taken to confirm, treat or dismiss this diagnosis? 

[Donstar]

I often struggle between treating the pain or the cause of the pain.  I know that sometimes the only relief is to mask the pain.  The meds I am on for my shoulder don't discriminate and effectively reduce discomfort in my other joints.  I know the problems haven't gone away but they're not bothering me!  Pain management can become a complex issue in our later years.   We find ourselves walking around with a list of our medications in our wallets to inform others in case we are unable.